History
The formation of CESA was
announced on April 1, 2004. The club was created when the
Greenville Futbol Club (GFC) and St. Giles United Soccer
Club (SGUSC), South Carolina's premier youth soccer clubs, merged in
the 2004, forming Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (CESA),
the largest youth soccer club in South Carolina. The boards
of the two clubs agreed to merge following a series of
extensive exploratory meetings and based on the belief
that in creating a single club that a significantly higher
level of services could be offered to youth soccer players.
The merger process involved implementing operational
guidelines and financial management procedures. Officials
with both clubs focused on jointly developing
mission statements, staff responsibilities, tournament
and event management, as well as, registration information
and communications. With a program that initially encompassed
over 2500 players ranging in ages from 4 to 19, the staff
of the club focused on developing an organizational structure
that was equally beneficial to players at the recreation,
academy, high school prepatory, and select levels. Player
evaluation and team selection processes were formulated
for all facets of the program.
According to comments made by Pearse Tormey, the previous
Executive Director of Coaching and Administration for SGUSC,
at the time of the merger: "Both clubs have experienced
rapid growth and significant success over the past few
years. We have both been involved in other mergers, campaigns
to develop field complexes, and increased tournament commitments.
It was natural that we would look beyond being competitors
to becoming partners. The discussions we have had about
merging have been very positive and the carefully planned
steps we have agreed to will guarantee a smooth transition
into one club."
Andrew Hyslop, the previous Director of Coaching for GFC,
added at the time of the merger: "Greenville Futbol Club
and St Giles United Soccer Club each provide a full range
of services for youth soccer players. It makes sense for
our clubs to come together in order to offer the best possible
soccer opportunities for families in the Upstate and beyond.
As with any merger involving thousands of club members,
there are numerous matters to review. We want each member
of both clubs to feel that they benefit from the merger,
which is why we are pleased that we have taken a step by step
approach to the merger."
SGUSC was formed in 2001 as the result of a merger between
the St. Giles Soccer Club and the Upstate Girls Soccer
Association. SGUSC currently provides programs for approximately 1,500
youth players and is the largest coed youth soccer club in the Upstate.
It has its own soccer complex consisting of 10 soccer fields on 42
acres of property.
GFC was formed in 2000 as the result of a merger between
the Downtown Soccer Association and the Golden Strip Soccer Club. GFC
currently provides programs for approximately 1,200 players and is
the second largest coed youth soccer club in the Upstate. It has a
soccer complex consisting of 5 soccer fields on 20 acres of property.